Oil level testing dip stick and closure

ABSTRACT

A combined oil level dip stick and closure removably mounted in the access opening of an oil reservoir to act as a closure and breather member for the throat entrance of the oil filling spout and access opening. The closure, being a resilient rubber stopper or plug, has a hollow compartment receiving a filtering plug, and the bottom wall has a series of apertures in open communication with the filtering plug. The body receives the dip stick therethrough and rotation of the rod compresses the resilient body between an outer compression plate, in the form of a breather cap, and an inner compression plate. The inner compression plate also has a series of apertures cooperating with the bottom wall apertures so as to always provide venting means through the filter.

[451 May 27, 1975 Primary Examiner-William D. Martin, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FI'rmBerman, Davidson and Berman [57] ABSTRACT A combined oil level dip stick and closure removably mounted in the access opening of an oil reservoir to act as a closure and breather member for the throat entrance of the oil filling spout and access opening. The closure, being a resilient rubber stopper or plug. has a hollow compartment receiving a filtering plug. and the bottom wall has a series of apertures in open communication with the filtering plug. The body receives the dip stick therethrough and rotation of the rod compresses the resilient body between an outer compression plate, in the form of a breather cap, and an inner compression plate. The inner compression plate also has a series of apertures cooperating with the bottom wall apertures so as to always provide venting means through the filter.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures United States Patent Karls Oil. LEVEL TESTING DIP STICK AND CLOSURE [75] Inventor: Albert J. Karls, Greenville, Miss.

[73] Assignee: Moeller Mfg. Co., Inc., Greenville,

Miss.

{22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1967 [21] Appl. No.: 670,180

[52] U.S. Cl. 33/126] [5]] int. Cl. G0lf 23/04 [58] Field of Search 33/1267, 1264 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,032,800 3/1936 Haltenberger 33/1267 2,663,084 l2/l953 Coderre 33/1267 3,371,4l8 3/1968 Moeller 33/1267 3,377,708 4/1968 Gassman et a] 33/1267 /5 22 l '2 0V (5;: r X 7 L it 21a .lll

. lll

PATENTEB LE-X27 iSTS INVENTOR ALBERT J. KARLS GFORGF W. WRIGHT. JR.

OIL LEVEL TESTING DIP STICK AND CLOSURE This invention appertains to an oil level testing dip stick and closure and in particular to a new and useful closure construction for dip sticks to provide a venting. and filtering, and to prevent the escape and splashing of oil through the oil filling spout.

The invention generally, represents an improvement over pending application Ser. No. 55l,099 filed May 18, I966 by Axel Moeller and entitled Oil Level Testing Dip Stick with Closure." As set forth in the pending application of Axel Moeller, it is common practice in heavy equipment vehicles to provide an oil level clip stick carrying a cap which fits loosely on the outer end of the crankcase oil filling spout and while this loose fitting cap provides for a proper venting, it is subject to damage and to disengagement from the spout and will generally permit oil, dust and dirt to enter the oil filling spout and contaminate the oil. Further, on certain occasions it will allow oil to splash out of the oil filling spout particularly where conventional dip sticks are associated with the filling spout and are jarred loose or become lost.

In the above noted pending application, a novel oil level testing dip stick and closure is disclosed, the closure generally having a resilient expandable stopper plug that is utilized to engage tightly within the entrance throat of an oil filling spout and thus will firmly hold the dip stick in position and allow the entrance pipe to be sealed against dust and dirt. Means was also provided in the nature of a peripheral groove to provide for a venting. While the closure and oil level dip stick described in the above pending application represents an advance in the art and great improvement over all known types of dip sticks and closures associated with oil filling spouts, it has been found that oil could leak or splash from the groove and in some instances minute particles of dirt and dust could enter through the venting means. Thus, it is extremely desirable to provide an oil testing dip stick and closure which will effectively seal in the entrance throat of anoil filling spout but which will provide for a proper venting and will definitely and positively prevent dust and dirt from contaminating the oil and oil from splashing and working its way from the entrance throat.

Thus, it is a primary object of my present invention to provide an oil level testing dip stick and closure which will effectively seal in the entrance throat of an oil filling spout and which provides for a venting at all times, while effectively preventing dust, dirt and oil from filtering through the venting means.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an oil level testing dip stick and closure wherein a resilient expandable body in the nature of a stopper or plug may be expanded to effectively seal in the entrance throat of the oil filling spout, the operating means for expanding the body carrying the oil testing dip stick, the body being provided with an enlarged chamber into which is fitted a filtering plug, the venting means being through the body and filtering plug.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an oil level testing dip stick and closure generally as described, in the above noted pending application, wherein the resilient expandable body is provided with a series of apertures which are in constant register with apertures provided through an inner compression plate.

A more specific object of the present invention resides in providing an adjustable closure for an oil level testing dip stick, embodying an expandable resilient stopper body held between an inner compression plate and outer compression plate, the inner plate being associated with a travelling nut received on a rotatable threaded rod portion of the dip stick, so that by turning movement of the rotatable adjusting rod, the inner and outer compression plates will be drawn toward one another to expand the body and seal the same effectively in the entrance throat. The bottom wall of the body carries four equally spaced apertures and the inner compression plate carries three equally spaced apertures so constructed and arranged that regardless of how the inner compression plate may rotate relative to the bottom wall of the body, one or more of the apertures of the body and inner plate will be in register to provide a constant venting through the body and through grooves provided in the upper portion of the body under the outer compression plate.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an oil level testing dip stick and closure which is simple in construction, reliable in its operation and not liable to work loose or to become defective.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an oil level testing dip stick, a fragmentary vertical section being taken through the closure thereof to illustrate the novel features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse horizontal section through the upper end of the closure body, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the drawings, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section through the oil level dip stick, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. I of the drawings, looking in the direction of the arrows, and providing a bottom view of the closure and illustrating one aperture in the expandable body being in full register with an aperture of the inner compression plate;

FIG. 4 is a view identical to FIG. 3 of the drawings, but showing the inner compression plate rotating to a different position to illustrate the registering of portions of the apertures in the expandable body and inner compression plate, and

FIG. 5 is a transverse horizontal section through the device taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. I of the drawings, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter S generally indicates one type of the improved oil level testing dip stick, and closure, and the same includes broadly the resilient expandable body 10 of the closure ll, dip stick rod or body 12 and means in the nature of a bar handle 13' for rotating the rod 12, and particularly the threaded portion 13 thereof, to compress the expandable body I0 between an inner compression plate 14 and outer compression plate 15. The general structure of the closure body per se is shown and described in the following patents assigned to and owned by Moeller Mfg. Co., Inc. of Greenville, Miss: US. Pat. No, 2,292,149 issued Aug. 4, 1942; U.S. Pat. No. 2,3 l5,5 38

issued Apr. 6, 1943; U.S. Pat. No. 2,347,835 issued May 2, 1944; U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,353 issued Jan. 3, 1956', US. Pat. No. 2,773,619 issued Dec. 11, I956; U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,138 issued Apr. 4, I964 and pending application Ser. No. 546,638 filed May 2, 1966 entitled Stop Limit Means for Dip Stick Closures, as well as the previously mentioned application Ser. No. 551,099 filed May 18, 1966, the pending applications in particular relating to the oil level dip stick with closure.

Thus, the oil level testing dip stick and closure of the present invention includes the aforementioned resilient expandable body 10, which is particularly for use in connection with the sealing throat of an oil filling spout, not shown. Preferably this resilient expandable body is molded from a Hycar rubber compound and the outer periphery is provided with a number of sealing ribs 16 to engage the smooth wall of the oil filling spout throat and effectively seal against the wall when the body is in an expanded compressed position. The expandable body is also provided with a bottom wall 17, and an upper peripheral circular lip 18 and the axial center is hollowed out to provide the enlarged compartment 19. It should be noted as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and S of the drawings, that the bottom wall 17 is provided with a series of equally spaced apertures 20 and while these may be of any desired number, in the preferred form, four are provided, the axial centers of which are spaced in the nature of a rectangle. The inner portion of the bottom wall of the expandable body is dished slightly in the nature of an inner cone the purpose of which will become more apparent as the description proceeds. The extreme upper periphery 21 of the projecting lip 18 is provided with a series of grooves 22 which extend inwardly and are in communication with the central chamber 19 and again a clearer understanding of the purpose of the grooves will become more apparent as the description proceeds. At the axial center of the bottom wall 17 a bore or way 25 is provided and the wall is thickened at this point to give strength particularly during the compression of the body.

The dip stick body 12 is as previously explained, in the nature of an elongated rod, the lower portion of which is preferably flattened and provided with suitable indicia (not shown), to indicate the level of the oil in the crankcase. An intermediate portion is threaded, as at 13, and the upper end 26 is enlarged and carries the handle 13' and an intermediate peripheral bearing collar 27. The threaded portion of the rod body 12 extends through the axial bore of the bottom wall and has threadedly received thereon a nut 28, and this nut has associated therewith the inner compression plate 14. The manner ofjoining the inner compression plate and nut 28 does not form a part of the present invention, but as shown, the inner compression plate is provided with an axial opening which is pressed within an outer peripheral groove of the nut 28 as shown more particularly in FIG. I of the drawings. Thus it can be seen that by rotating the handle 13' the threaded portion 13 will rotate and the inner compression plate 14 if held against relative rotation will be moved by the nut 28 toward or away from the bottom wall of the resilient expandable body. It should also be noted that the compression plate is formed or may be stamped from any suitable material, such as metal, and the inner portion is dished to fit the conical recessed portion of the hottom wall. Thus when inner compression plate 14 engages the bottom wall and recessed portion it generally will be held against rotation. Under the bearing collar 27 the outer compression plate 15 is positioned and if desired a bearing washer 30 may be provided. The outer compression plate is of a larger circumference than the inner compression plate and is also provided with an axial opening to freely receive the enlarged upper end 26 of the dip stick rod body 12 and the outer edge extends beyond the peripheral lip 18 of the resilient expandable body and carries a depending outer flange 32 so that the outer compression plate is dish shaped. It is important that the depending peripheral flange of outer compression plate 15 be spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the lip 18 so that it provided open communication with the outside atmosphere through this space 22 to the inner central chamber of the resilient expandable body.

From the description thus far it can be seen that when the closure is placed within the entrance throat of an oil filling spout and handle 13' rotated in one direction, the inner compression plate 14 is drawn toward the outer compression plate 15 and this will squeeze or compress the resilient expandable body so that the outer peripheral walls and sealing ribs 16 will grip and hold firmly to the entrance throat and effectively seal the throat. It is important, as previously mentioned, that a proper venting takes place and with the oil level testing dip stick and closure in its operable position as above described, venting will take place in the direction of the arrows FIGS. 1 and 2, through an aperture in the inner compression plate through the registered aperture in the bottom wall of the resilient ex pandable body through the chamber, out grooves 22 and into the atmosphere through the space 36 provided between the inner wall of the depending flange 32 and outer periphery of the lip 18. A very important feature of the present invention is the arrangement of the apertures in the inner compression plate, in relation to the apertures 20 provided in the bottom wall 17 of the resilient expandable body 10. Thus, for this purpose, the inner compression plate 14 is provided with a series of apertures 40 which are so constructed and arranged that regardless of the position of the inner compression plate in relation to the bottom wall 17 one or more of the apertures 20 and 40 will be in open communication with the other. One means is to provide the four aforementioned apertures 20 in the bottom wall arranged so as to form a rectangle, with the three apertures 40 through the inner compression plate 14 forming the sides of an equilateral triangle. It has been found that with this arrangement, no matter how the inner compression plate 14 may rotate in relation to the bottom wall 17, note FIG. 4, a certain portion of the apertures 20 and 40 will always be in registration.

In FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings, one of the apertures is shown in full registration with one of the apertures 40, and for the purposes of clearer understanding of the device, the full registered apertures are noted as 20' and 40' respectively. With this full registration, the remaining two apertures 40 register partially with their respective apertures 20. Under most circumstances, when the handle 13' is turned in the direction to draw nut 28 toward bearing collar 27, the inner compression plate will be pressed firmly against the bottom wall of the resilient expandable body and will not rotate relative thereto; however, since it is loose the inner compression plate 14 may be turned readily in relation to the bottom wall 17 of the body. If this should happen, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, it should be noted that a venting will still take place and that portions of the apertures 40 will always be in open registration with portions of the respective apertures 20. Thus, calling attention to FIG. 4, it can be seen that inner compression plate 14 has been rotated in the direction of the arrows whereby aperture 40' is moved out of full registration with aperture 20', but one other aperture 40 is in registration with its respective aperture 20 and thus regardless of how the inner compression plate may rotate relative to the bottom wall 17, a registration of the respective apertures will take place and venting in the direction of the arrows FIGS. 1 and 2, will always be assured.

As the engine is operated oil is splashed and circulated about, and quite often is splashed into the entrance throat of the oil filling spout with some force, and in the type of venting shown in pending application Ser. No. 55 l,099 oil could move out of the longitudinal groove in the resilient body and escape causing the engine to become dirty and further, oil and dust could eventually seep into the oil to contaminate the same. To prevent this, a filter plug 45 is provided and this filter plug may be made of any porous type of material, but preferably is in the nature of a porous rubber of a size and configuration to fit snugly within the chamber of the resilient expandable body and is provided with an axial bore therethrough to receive the portions of the rod body 12, as shown, and thus this filter plug 45 not only prevents dust and dirt from seeping through the venting means, but also prevents oil from splashing out or through the closure. The filtering plug can be readily removed and a new one substituted. All that is necessary is to turn the handle 13 in the direction which will move nut 28 off the threaded portion 13 and the entire closure will drop off of the dip stick rod where outer compression plate can be removed and the dirty plug 45 thrown away and a new, clean plug inserted. It might be noted that in pending application Ser. No. 546,638 entitled Stop Limit Means for Dip Stick Closures" there was shown and described a means for limiting the expansion of the stopper and certainly if desired this cylindrical sleeve surrounding the threaded portion of the rod could be used with the present invention, but this invention is directed primarily to a new, improved venting and filtering device for the closure body.

Attention should also be called to FIG. 1 of the drawings, wherein a threaded washer 50 is placed on the lower threaded portion 13 just adjacent the inner compression plate 14. The reason for this washer is that it will prevent the entire closure from dropping off the threaded portion of the dip stick should for some reason the inner compression plate 14 become extremely loose. in order to remove and change the filter plug as above described, it is only necessary to first unthread the washer 50 and then continue to remove the inner compression plate.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and that an extremely effective venting means has been provided which assures venting at all times regardless of the position of the inner compression plate, at the same time providing an effective filter.

Thus, while I have shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be readily understood that these are merely for the purpose of illustration and description, that various other forms may be devised and that changes may be made in the proportions and minor details of construction.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An oil level testing dip stick and closure for sealing the entrance throat of an oil filler spout of an internal combustion engine including, a resilient expandable and compressible stopper body having a bottom wall and an enlarged axial chamber opening out on the upper end of the body, the upper end of said body having an extended circumferential peripheral lip, said bottom wall being provided with a series of spaced apertures in open communication with said chamber and an axial bore therethrough, a filtering plug of a size and configuration to fit within said enlarged axial chamber, said filtering plug being of a porous nature and having an axial bore, inner and outer compression plates, engaging the opposite ends of said stopper body, the inner compression plate engaging the bottom wall of said body and being provided with an axial opening in alignment with said bottom wall and said filtering plug, said inner compression plate also being provided with a series of spaced apertures so constructed and arranged that regardless of the relative position of the inner compression plate relative to the bottom wall one or more of the respective apertures will be in open registration, said outer compression plate engaging the upper surface of the expandable body adjacent said lip and being provided at its axial center with an opening, the outer end of said outer compression plate extending beyond said circumferential lip and having a depending flange spaced therefrom, a rod rotatably mounted in the open ing of the outer compression plate and having a reduced threaded portion extending through the opening of said bottom wall of said body, a threaded nut se curred in the opening of said inner compression plate and engaging said reduced threaded portion of said rod, the upper surface of said circumferential lip being provided with a series of grooves communicating with the enlarged chamber of said body, whereby rotation of said rotatable rod in one direction will draw the inner compression plate toward the outer compression plate to expand said resilient compressible body against the walls of the oil filler pipe to firmly hold the closure and rod in position and provide for the venting of the crankcase. 

1. An oil level testing dip stick and closure for sealing the entrance throat of an oil filler spout of an internal combustion engine including, a resilient expandable and compressible stopper body having a bottom wall and an enlarged axial chamber opening out on the upper end of the body, the upper end of said body having an extended circumferential peripheral lip, said bottom wall being provided with a series of spaced apertures in open communication with said chamber and an axial bore therethrough, a filtering plug of a size And configuration to fit within said enlarged axial chamber, said filtering plug being of a porous nature and having an axial bore, inner and outer compression plates, engaging the opposite ends of said stopper body, the inner compression plate engaging the bottom wall of said body and being provided with an axial opening in alignment with said bottom wall and said filtering plug, said inner compression plate also being provided with a series of spaced apertures so constructed and arranged that regardless of the relative position of the inner compression plate relative to the bottom wall one or more of the respective apertures will be in open registration, said outer compression plate engaging the upper surface of the expandable body adjacent said lip and being provided at its axial center with an opening, the outer end of said outer compression plate extending beyond said circumferential lip and having a depending flange spaced therefrom, a rod rotatably mounted in the opening of the outer compression plate and having a reduced threaded portion extending through the opening of said bottom wall of said body, a threaded nut securred in the opening of said inner compression plate and engaging said reduced threaded portion of said rod, the upper surface of said circumferential lip being provided with a series of grooves communicating with the enlarged chamber of said body, whereby rotation of said rotatable rod in one direction will draw the inner compression plate toward the outer compression plate to expand said resilient compressible body against the walls of the oil filler pipe to firmly hold the closure and rod in position and provide for the venting of the crankcase. 